The shamisen is the quintessential traditional Japanese instrument.
Of course, it’s used to perform classic pieces, but it’s also a highly versatile instrument that shines in solo performances of intense songs and in collaborations with rock bands—traditional yet packed with showmanship.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of songs that feature the shamisen.
We’ve included everything from older works to the latest tracks!
If you’re thinking about starting the shamisen, you might find this helpful—so be sure to read to the end!
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[The Spirit of Japan] Shamisen Masterpieces and Popular Songs (1–10)
The Subscription ListTaimeizō · Taimeijūrō Association
Kanjincho is the most famous piece in Kabuki and Nagauta, dynamically depicting the scene in which Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Musashibo Benkei perform an act to pass through a checkpoint.
The highlight is the build-up toward the finale, featuring a thrilling performance known as takinagashi (waterfall flow).
SenbonzakuraKurousa-P
This song, with its irresistibly intense rock-style arrangement, is actually based on a Vocaloid track produced by Kurousa-P.
Having been used as the theme for Toyota’s Aqua commercial and performed by Wagakki Band, it’s no exaggeration to say it helped spark a shamisen boom.
The video features Hatsune Miku’s crystalline vocals paired with virtuosic Tsugaru shamisen technique.
The lyrics are revolutionary, unfolding a unique worldview that could only be realized through Vocaloid.
Tsugaru Yosare-bushiSawada Katsunari
“Tsugaru Yosare-bushi” is one of the five major folk songs of the Tsugaru region.
“Yosare” means “let a world where bad things happen pass away.” It is a notoriously difficult piece, characterized by a distinctive triple meter with spacious phrasing and fiercely percussive playing.
Katsunari Sawada is a veteran shamisen performer who has toured as part of Japan’s cultural envoy, boasting live performances in more than 60 countries across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
With outstanding skill, he delivers a passionate rendition of “Tsugaru Yosare-bushi.”
Nambu Tawarazumi-utaKinsaburō & Maya
“Nanbu Tawarazumi-uta” traces its roots to songs performed by street entertainers in Sannohe District, Aomori Prefecture.
It is often sung at celebratory occasions such as New Year’s, and the piece maintains a lively, upbeat energy throughout.
The performance features Tsugaru-shamisen player Kinzaburo Abe and folk singer Maya Nemoto.
cherry blossom
It’s a classic tune that everyone’s heard at least once.
Composed in the late Edo period, its author is unknown.
Pentatonic scales often carry a hint of melancholy, but when played on the Tsugaru shamisen, the intense plectrum work transforms it into a modern, emotional piece.
The highlights are the delicate arrangement at the start and the technique in the latter half where rhythmic plectrum strokes intertwine.
If you’re thinking of trying Tsugaru shamisen, this piece is relatively easy to play, so start your practice with it!
Soran BushiTsugaru shamisen Wagajin
Soran-bushi is a folk song from Hokkaido—an upbeat tune that everyone knows and can easily sing like a chant.
It’s also popular at shamisen concerts as a song that gets the audience fired up together.
The ones performing it with high-energy flair are Wagatoko, who amp up the stage with Tsugaru shamisen playing and flashy showmanship.
Thirteen SandhillsMitsubishi Michiya
This piece has a long history: it was composed in the mid-Edo period and was originally a boatman’s song.
The current shamisen arrangement took shape thanks to the performance by Takahashi Chikuzan, a master of the Tsugaru shamisen.
The piece also makes frequent use of semitones, which are not commonly played on the Tsugaru shamisen.
Performances by Michiya Mihashi—both a singer and Tsugaru shamisen player—also contributed to the present-day version of “Jūsanshi no Sunayama.” Because it is relatively easy, beginners or those who want to learn the shamisen might consider starting with this piece.